The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1887-04-07

investigate charges of improper practices
at the state lunatic asylum, presented the
report of the committee.
The committee says:
"After thorough investigation of the
records and witnesses, we find that the
following patients have given birth to
children while being inmates of the asy-
lum.
Miss Bankhead, of Walker county, was
1885; died July 10, 1886. Evidence shows
that she gave birth to child July 4, 1886.
Mrs. Maggie Lee, received December
20, 1883, gave birth to child August Is,
1884.
Mrs. Rundzieger, received April, 1873.
Records show no birth, but evidence es-
taollshes the fact that she gave birth to a
child while patient.
Mrs. Stevens, received August 10, 1881.
Evidence shows that Mrs. Stevens gave
birth to child. Records are silent as to
date of birth.
Mrs. B. Gerdis, of Galveston, received,
December 4, 1884; furloughed March l,
1885; returned April 81, 1885; died No
vember 20, 1885, of disease of the kidneys.
This the record shows, but the evidence in
this case shows that she was supposed to
be pregnant before she left the asylum
for her home in Galveston, and it is
rumored that she gave birth to child on
the cars.
From a careful examination of the
| records of the lunatic asylum, and evil
dence from numerous witnesses, it is
shown that, while there have been numer-
Gus births among the patients at the
| asylum, we do not find that conception
| had taken place there, except in the case
| of negro woman, who is now in an ad-
vanced state of pregnancy, unless it is in
such cases where the records are silent, as
above stated.
1t is alleged that two or three attend
ants or employees, were discharged; one,
because she had been assaulted by male
employe with carnal intent, and, reporting
the same to the superintendent, she was
Afterwards discharged therefor. Ac-
cording to evidence, one other was
discharged because she knew too much
about the illicit conduct of the officers and
employees. No other cause for her dis
charge was known to her.
| We find, according to evidence, that
there has been criminal intercourse be-
| tween some of the officers and employees,
several female employees having left the
asylum to give birth to their children.
| The evidence does not show that the
former superintendent used proper eff
forts to suppress the existing evil though
we find no charge has been alleged against
him personally as having participated in
said evil.
| Tho oIroi ictr tinn IA ant lu
endeavoring TO remedy the evil heretofore
existing. Disciplinary rules are rigidly
enforced. Your committee is satisfied
that the asylum will be purged of all i'm
proper conduct as far ar possible.
Your committee respectfully recon-
mend the following:
First-That the superintendent be re-
quired to purge the asylum of all objec-
tionable characters, and, in employing
others, to thoroughly investigate their
records as to character, integrity, etc.
Second-That ward attendants have
better salaries for their services.
Third.-That the "Friday night
dances" be confined to the inmates and
employees of the asylum, and If visitors
are admitted, it must be by written per-
NIT from the superintendent.
Fourth-We, as your committee, regret
exceedingly the necessity for the investi-
CATION which we have been called upon
to make, and while we have discovered
much to destroy the confidence of the
people in one of our public
Institutions, we feel warranted in
saying that we fully believe that spirit
of reform has been inaugurated and will
be carried out and public confidence re-
stored
We desire the people to give the pres
emit management fair trial and encour-
agement, and we believe those who have
unfortunate ones to send there may rest
assured that they will be protected and
properly cared for.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
j. RAs JONES,
SAM HI. HAIaIs,
M. V. GARNER,
Committee.
The house adjourned till p. m.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
In the afternoon session, senate bill, to
carry into effect the article of the consti-
ton prohibiting the consolidation of
parallel and competing lines of railroads,
passed.
Also senate bill changing the county
seat of Harden county
House bill No. 600, regulating prose
cutions and civil suits for libel was con-
sidered.
Mr.. Payne moved to substitute the
minority, which is adverse to the bill.
Mr.. Browning spoke in favor of the bill,
and Messrs. Camp, Payne and Jones fol-
lowed in opposition.
Mr.. Gresham spoke in favor of the bill.
Mr.. Miner made a strong appeal
in behalf OF the bill, quoting
from De Tocqueville, to show
that the censorship of the press is not
only dangerous bat absurd. In support
of his argument, lie also read from his
own paper, the Henderson News.
Mr.. Bell, of Cook, said he proposed to
rise above any question of personal
abuse by Mr.. Garfield, or any other news.
paper man. in considering the rights of
the people, and the freedom of the press
as the great palladium of of civil liberty.
He argued that the retraction clause was
worthless, that no retraction could with
draw the poison of SANDER, but the